Chairman of Tata Trusts Ratan N. Tata has said that he will look into the possibility of doing joint research with Andhra University.Participating as chief guest at the Andhra University Alumni Association (AAA) Meet-2018 at the AU Convention Centre on Beach Road here on Monday, Mr. Tata said he was impressed to hear about the laurels of AU during the last nine decades. "I am amazed on hearing about the great leadership of the university over the years and its contribution to the country." Replying to the requests made by Visakhapatnam MP K. Haribabu and former Tirupati MP V. Varaprasada Rao, Mr. Tata said that universities of today have to come out of their silos and contribute to inter-disciplinary research. They should look towards the industry in this regard."After going back to Bombay (Mumbai), I will discuss with the Tata Group to see what can be done together with Andhra University," he said and added that data analysis, human genomics, sequencing were some of the areas that could be looked into for joint research.Describing Vizag as a dynamic city, he said that he heard it was the cleanest city in India. "I am impressed with Andhra University and Vizag. I will remember coming to Vizag and AU for a long time." Minister for HRD Ganta Srinivasa Rao announced that the State government would contribute matching grant to AU to the funds raised by the AAA.

Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) Ships Varyag, Admiral Panteleyev and Boris Butoma arrived Visakhapatnam to participate in INDRA NAVY, the bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Federation Navy exercise on 09 Dec 18. The 10th edition of exercise INDRA NAVY will be conducted at/off Visakhapatnam from 09 to 16 December 2018. The primary aim of the exercise is to increase inter-operability amongst the two navies, develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations. Initiated in 2003, INDRA NAVY exercise has matured over the years with increase in scope, complexity and level of participation.
This edition of the exercise would be held in two phases. The Harbour Phase would be held at Visakhapatnam from 09 to 12 December 2018 and would encompass planning conferences, professional interactions, cultural visits, sports fixtures and formal calls between Flag Officers/ Senior Officers of participating navies. The Sea Phase from 13 to 16 December 2018 would be conducted in the Bay of Bengal. The thrust of exercises at sea would be on Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW), Air Defence drills, Surface Firings, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and tactical procedures.
During exercise INDRA NAVY-18, the Indian Navy would be represented by INS Ranvir, a guided missile destroyer, INS Satpura, an indigenous frigate, INS Kadmatt, an indigenous anti- submarine warfare (ASW) corvette, IN Ships Kuthar and Khanjar both indigenous missile corvettes and INS Jyoti, a fleet tanker. In addition, one Sindhughosh class submarine, Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, Hawk fighter aircraft and other integral rotary wing helicopters would be taking part in the exercise. The Indian Navy ships participating in the exercise would be under the Command of Rear Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet. Ships of the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) would be under the Command of Rear Admiral Mikhailov Edward Evgenievich, Chief of the Headquarters, Submarine Forces, Pacific Fleet and ships from the Pacific Fleet, based at Vladivostok.
Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy visited Russia from 26 to 29 November 2018 to consolidate bilateral defence relations and to explore new avenues for defence cooperation. The Indian Navy interacts with Russian Federation Navy on many fronts, which include operational interactions, training, hydrographic cooperation and exchange of Subject Matter Experts in various fields through the medium of Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks. Exercise INDRA NAVY-18 would help to further strengthen mutual confidence and inter-operability and also enable sharing of best practices between both the navies. The exercise will be yet another milestone in strengthening maritime security cooperation between the two navies and will serve to reinforce the long standing bond of friendship between the countries.

A Special Cover released at Visakhapatnam to mark the Golden Jubilee of Eastern Naval Command during the At Home function organized on the Navy Day, 04 Dec 18. Shri Nimmakayala Chinarajappa, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri K Hari Babu, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha,Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, PVSM, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and Shri K S Venkateswara Rao, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Visakhapatnam jointly released the Special Cover in the presence of large number of dignitaries from Central and State Govt., serving and retired Armed Forces Officers and Heads of various organisation in Visakhapatnam. At Home reception was hosted by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command at Navy House on the Navy Day.
The event was also utilized to screen the Navy Day Telefilm showcasing various activities of the Indian Navy to the guests. The special attraction for the evening was the live singing of a song titled Jai Visakha specially composed to highlight the symbiotic relationship between the ENC and the City of Destiny, Visakhapatnam which have grown concurrently. The song had been specially composed in Hindi and Telugu by Cmde KS Noor, Command Education Officer and Mrs. Nirmala Devi, of the Navy Children School, Visakhapatnam. The musical score was arranged by Cdr Satish Champion and the ENC band. The song was rendered in an inimitable and melodious voice by Mrs. Krupa Pandya, a Naval wife and Mr. Mummoji Sekhar, from Visakhapatnam.

On the occasion of Navy Day, Eastern Naval Command conducted an operational display at RK Beach on Tuesday evening. More than a lakh visitors turned up to witness the multi-dimensional warfare capabilities of the Indian Navy in protecting the vast maritime borders and offshore assets of the country.
State deputy Chief Minister N. Chinarajappa was the chief guest on the occasion while Visakhapatnam MP K. Haribabu was the guest of honour. Several dignitaries from Central and state administration, officers, sailors and Defence civilians from the Indian Navy, a large crowd of civil populace witnessed the event.

The Vikrant class indigenous aircraft carrier IAC-1, which is being built at Kochi, is likely to be inducted into the Indian Navy by 2021 and will be allotted to Eastern Naval Command and will be based in Visakhapatnam, said Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of ENC, Karambir Singh.He was interacting with the media on the eve of the Navy Day on board Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate INS Sahyadri.This aircraft carrier will give an edge to the eastern fleet and the Indian Navy will have two battle carrier groups — the other will be based at the western fleet with aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya heading it.According to Vice-Admiral Karambir Singh, work is apace for the required infrastructural facility to dock the new aircraft carrier.INS Dega will also serve as the base of the MIG29K fighter aircraft.Referring to a question on running a fighter squadron from INS Dega, which is also used for commercial operation, he said, "We have to find workable time slots between commercial and military operations. We have been insisting that commercial flights, especially the international ones can be slotted during the night, when we do not have military operations. Moreover, we are also working on building a parallel runway at INS Dega," he said.

"International Day for Persons with Disability" A Sports Meet was organised in RINL in C.K Nayudu Ukku Stadium from 21st to 23rd Nov. 2018.
Sri KC Das, Director (Personnel), RINL was the chief guest at the valedictory function held in Ukkunagaram on the occasion of "International Day for Persons with Disability" today.
Speaking on the occasion, Sri Das said that RINL is committed in empowering differently abled persons and ensuring their inclusiveness and equality. He emphasized the need for recognizing their potential and bringing them to the mainstream. Apart from Sports, RINL has many schemes in CSR which taps their abilities and trains them to become entrepreneurs. Sri Das distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions held to mark the occasion.
Sri Debasish Ray, ED(P&IR), Sri RV Rao, ED (CS), Sri MS Kumar HOD(Sports), representatives of Steel Executives Association, unions, SC&ST welfare Association, WIPS participated.

Motorists travelling towards Old Jail Road, Jagadamba Junction, Poorna Market, King George Hospital (KGH) via Rama Talkies Junction can heave a sigh of relief now as they do not need to negotiate the traffic snarls and wait at signals at RTC Complex Junction. As part of the road re-engineering initiative launched by the traffic police, the subway at the RTC Complex area has been opened for two-way commuting.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M. Ramesh Kumar told that the road re-engineering work would reduce traffic congestions at RTC Complex Junction and people going towards I-Town and Jagadamba Junction could now pass through the subway.
According to the ADCP, the initiative has been launched on an experimental basis, and basing on the response and survey by the department, a decision would be taken to make it a permanent feature.
Traffic congestion has become the order of the day at Siripuram Junction, Andhra University Gate area at Maddilapalem, Jagadamba Junction, South India Shopping Mall Junction and a few others.